Human Embryo Research

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Late one night a woman is driving home on the freeway, she’s hit head on by a drunk driver and killed. The man is charged with two accounts of murder; the woman, and her four-week-old embryo inside her. By law, everyone human being is guaranteed rights of life; born or unborn they are equal. The same law should be enforced concerning human embryonic stem cell research. Dr. James A. Thomson discovered stem cells in 1998 and they’ve intrigued scientist ever since. The stem cells themselves are derived from a three to four day old cluster of cells called a blastocyst and they are so coveted because they are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into any type of cell in the human body. Although embryonic stem cells show amazing potential to cure various disease such as cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophies, and more. The methods by which they are obtained is controversial. Research on embryonic stem cells is unethical, unnecessary, and purely homicide.

Unquestionably, stem cell research is unethical on multiple accounts. Firstly, embryos are human beings and even though they’re a few days old they are not a “pre-embryo,” a term stating that after conception, the embryo was actually not an embryo. Thankfully, that term is now known as scientifically invalid. As soon as the

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DNA is fully operational its human, “ embryos aren’t merely biological tissues or clusters of cells; they are the tiniest of human beings” (C.B.H.D. 2). Additionally, research on embryos is a violation of human rights and there is no greater good by doing so in the name of medicine. There have been gross violations of human rights in the past and destruction of an embryo to salvage ...

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...ific Society. 13 Oct. 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

" An Overview of Stem Cell Research | The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity." The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (C.B.H.D.). Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

Farrell, Courtney, and Rosalyn Carson-Dewitt. "Stem Cell Research: An Overview." Points of View: Stem Cell Research (2009): 1. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

Issitt, Micah, and Matt Donnely. " Counterpoint: Stem Cell Research Is Dangerous, Unethical, and Ineffective." Points of View: Stem Cell Research (2009): 3. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

Reaves, Jessica. "The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 11 July 2001. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

"What Are Embryonic Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

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